Dan Issel
Inducted:
1993
Player Stats
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
Born
October 25, 1948
Batavia, Illinois, U.S.
Position
Center
Power forward
College
Kentucky (1967–1970)
Dan Issel, widely known as "The Horse," earned his nickname through legendary durability and a tireless work ethic that defined his fifteen-year career. A scoring machine at both the center and power forward positions, Issel began his professional journey in the ABA with the Kentucky Colonels, where he immediately led the league in scoring as a rookie and later secured a championship in 1975.
Upon moving to the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, he remained a premier offensive threat, combining a rugged post game with a highly reliable outside jump shot. Remarkably consistent, he missed only 24 games throughout his entire pro career, finishing as one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the sport. At the time of his retirement, he trailed only a handful of legends in total career points. Issel was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
Issel's Awards and Records
- ABA champion (1975)
- NBA All-Star (1977)
- 6× ABA All-Star (1971–1976)
- ABA All-Star Game MVP (1972)
- All-ABA First Team (1972)
- 4× All-ABA Second Team (1971, 1973, 1974, 1976)
- ABA Rookie of the Year (1971)
- ABA scoring champion (1971)
- ABA All-Time Team
NBA Teams
Kentucky Colonels (1970–1975)
Denver Nuggets (1975–1985)
NBA Draft
1970: 8th round, 122nd overall pick
Detroit Pistons
Number Worn
44, 25
NBA Stats
Seasons:
15 (1970–1985)
Game Played:
1,218
Points:
27,482 (22.6 ppg)
Rebounds:
11,133 (9.1 rpg)
Assists:
2,907 (2.4 apg)
Steal:
1,039 (1.0 spg)
Blocks:
572 (0.5 bpg)
Field Goal(%):
49.9
Free Throw(%):
79.3